Effects of Luffa operculato on Allium cepa Root-tip Cells

Abstract

Luffa operculata (Cucurbitaceae) is one of the medicinal plants catalogued by the WHO (Penso 1980). In Northeastern Brazil, the plant is used by the population as an abortifacient. Matos and Gottlieb (1967) isolated and identified the active component of L. operculata as isocucurbitacin B. Decongestant, hemolytic, purgative and abortifacient activities have been attributed to this plant (Le Cointe 1947, Silva 1964, Barros et al. 1970). Extracts from several species of family Cucurbitaceae inhibit tumor growth (Farnsworth 1966), and this property is attributed to the presence of cucurbitacins (Gitter et al. 1961, Gallily et al. 1962) which are considered to be highly toxic. Champney et al. (1974), in a study of the cytotoxic and analgesic effects of an infusion of L. operculata dried fruits, determined its LD50to be 160 mg/kg for mice. In the present investigation, A. cepa bulbs were treated with L. operculata infusions of different concentrations to study the possible mutagenic effect of the plant on root-tip cells. © 1987, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.